The Denver Nuggets are competing for a top playoff place this season after ending with the second-best record in the Western Conference. 3-time MVP Nikola Jokic is still with them, and he still does amazing feats in basketball, like calmly making a 75-foot one-handed basket.
He has been the team's best player, without a doubt. But Michael Porter Jr., Aaron Gordon, or Jamal Murray haven't been the second star for the majority of the season.
Russell Westbrook Contract
It has been Russell Westbrook, the same player whose deal on multiple other teams has seemed like a burden. Westbrook signed a contract with the Nuggets this year for $3.3 million, the lowest amount he is capable of earning at this point in his career. Two seasons ago, Westbrook's salary was $46,791,220.
This represents the biggest contract drop-off in NBA history, with a loss of $43,487,449. At this point, Westbrook is the NBA's best deal.
Westbrook agreed to a five-year, $205 million agreement to stay with the Oklahoma City Thunder after that MVP campaign. At the time, it was the biggest contract in NBA history. Westbrook's agreement indicated that he intended to stay with the organization for a lengthy period, as Kevin Durant had left to join the Golden State Warriors just a year prior.
Westbrook Managing Different Teams
Westbrook is undoubtedly very talented. He has been selected to nine All-Star teams and won the league MVP award in the 2016–17 campaign. He dominated the league in assists three times, scoring twice and recording a triple-double four times.
He played for several teams before joining the Clippers, Lakers, Wizards, and Jazz. Critics noted his enormous contract during those stops. Westbrook was an easy scapegoat for the Lakers' ongoing struggles, which made his time there even more difficult.
Westbrook and Nuggets Journey
He joined the Clippers after accepting an option from the Lakers. The franchise dealt for James Harden, Westbrook's former teammate in both Oklahoma City and Houston, even though it appeared that things were going okay. Westbrook took another settlement to become a free agency as he suddenly became less important to the Clippers squad. Denver called at that point.
Jokic claimed on TNT's Inside the NBA that the Lakers misjudged Westbrook and clarified that the guard will make the right choice, whether it's chasing the hoop or making a deft pass to an open teammate.
Westbrook is more interested in a solid basketball match than a huge payday because his lifetime earnings are close to $350 million. Fortunately for both parties, Westbrook and the Nuggets make a great combination.